International Day of Charity 2017

What is the Need for an International Day of Charity?

Poverty is a part and parcel of the cultural, social and economic fabric of society. Poverty exists in all countries in the world. However, when compared to developed countries, the developing countries have a greater number of people who live in poverty. Charity organizations and individuals all over the world are lending a helping hand to the poor and needy. In recognition of their selfless actions, the United Nations decided to honor charities by recognizing a day dedicated to charity.

Reasons Behind the Origin of the Day

International Charity Day falls on the 5th of September every year. On this day, every year, charities from all over the world come together to motivate our various organization(s) who strive to ease the suffering of the poor. The origin of the day can be traced back to 2012 when the United Nations decided to honor the work done by charities all over the world, towards alleviating poverty, The importance of the day can be gauged by the manner in which these charitable organizations are honored by local as well as international bodies.

Planning How to Celebrate the Day

There are no rules on how to celebrate the day. However, the adage “Charity begins at home” is apt under these circumstances. Activities that explain the need and importance of charity will go a long way in inculcating selflessness and the spirit of giving in our little ones. When we faithfully practice selfless giving to in our homes, our children also learn to give. Any act of charity is made more precious by foregoing our most precious and beloved commodity for the benefit of others.

Activities that Teach us the Importance of Charity

Interestingly, precious commodity does not always equate to money. For instance the time a mother spends with her baby is the most precious commodity for her. So when a mother contributes her time to any charity she is teaching her child to part with his or her most precious possession. Other activities that inculcate the importance of the day in children include telling them simple stories on the subject, organizing ‘Old clothes collection drives’ and so on. The clothes collected should be distributed by the children so that they may experience the joy on the recipients face.

Understanding the Importance of the Day

Although much is being done to eradicate a social evil like poverty, it seems an uphill task today. Schools can help teach children the importance of the day and the act of sharing. Have an open discussion with children at school. Ask for opinions and suggestions on how to celebrate the day. Try and include their suggestions wherever possible to make the day a success. Planning activities for the less fortunate should be a regular occurrence and not an activity restricted to special days. September 5th is the anniversary of Mother Teresa’s death. By choosing this day as International Charity Day, the world pays tribute to the charity works and dedication of Mother Teresa.

Charity Quotes

"Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance."
- Francis of Assisi

"The life of a man consists not in seeing visions and in dreaming dreams, but in active charity and in willing service."
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

"If we put our trust in the common sense of common men and 'with malice toward none and charity for all' go forward on the great adventure of making political, economic and social democracy a practical reality, we shall not fail."
- Henry A. Wallace

"Charity is injurious unless it helps the recipient to become independent of it."
- John D. Rockefeller

"Charity is willingly given from the heart."
- Rush Limbaugh

"Every good act is charity. A man's true wealth hereafter is the good that he does in this world to his fellows."
- Moliere

"If you haven't got any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble."
- Bob Hope

"Anticipate charity by preventing poverty."
- Maimonides

"Charity degrades those who receive it and hardens those who dispense it."
- George Sand

"A strong argument for the religion of Christ is this - that offences against Charity are about the only ones which men on their death-beds can be made - not to understand - but to feel - as crime."
- Edgar Allan Poe

"True charity is the desire to be useful to others with no thought of recompense."
- Emanuel Swedenborg